WhatsApp is testing a new feature that would allow you to stay connected with your favorite contacts. In the recently released beta version 2.25.22.10, the messaging app is testing status update notifications for selected contacts.
The feature, discovered by WABetaInfo, was spotted within the code of the beta version currently available in the Google Play Beta Program. As it is being developed, we now have an early look at how it will work.
When it is rolled out, the feature will add a notification toggle for every individual contact on the Status screen. However, when this toggle is enabled, the user can get a notification once a selected contact posts a new status update.
WhatsApp will not inform the contact that their updates are being tracked this way, so that the privacy of the user is not compromised.
It will be helpful for users who have hundreds of contacts, but are interested in status updates on a select few. It is a targeted notification system, similar to Instagram story notifications, and is another user-friendly way to manage content intake in the app.
WhatsApp is also working on a feature to ask questions in status updates and the ability to share media directly to WhatsApp status by using the Android share menu.
This feature is not yet officially released. Now that it has appeared in the beta code, it will likely be rolled out to the beta test soon.
